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In this age of technology, we’re constantly surrounded by information about what we should do and when we should do it. There are so many conflicting opinions and things to consider about every decision we could make that it’s easy to get sucked into “analysis paralysis” and never make a decision at all. But sometimes, trusting your gut may be the way to go.
So how can you develop your decisiveness and get better results? Here are some tips from the experts.
Use your emotional intelligence. When presented with a high-stakes decision that needs to be made quickly, it’s easy to respond with emotions such as fear, overwhelm and anger. These emotions can cloud your ability to make a good decision, so make a point of reining in your emotions to allow yourself to do more clear-headed thinking. Instead of denying the emotion, which will only make it stronger, acknowledge the emotion and allow it to move through you until you reach a state of calm.
Manage uncertainty. Don’t waste time with dozens of choices, because that will lead to the infamous “analysis paralysis” mentioned earlier. Instead, use your intuition to narrow the number of choices down to two or three, and then study those in more depth. By trusting your intuition, you’ll be more satisfied with your decision in the long run.
Listen to your team members. Their thoughts can help you consider the consequences of various choices. It also makes them part of the process so they too will be more satisfied with your decision.
Act quickly. Business moves fast, so your decisions need to be made quickly, too. ”When decisions need to be made, effective managers gather the facts, analyze the situation, consider alternatives, and decide on the best course of action—and they do it quickly!” say Denny Strigl and Frank Swiatek, authors of Managers, Can You Hear Me Now?: Hard-Hitting Lessons on How to Get Real Results. “They don’t procrastinate, and they certainly don’t stand around wringing their hands.”
Don’t be afraid to be wrong. Much indecisiveness is caused by the fear of making a mistake. However, the ability to make important decisions quickly is the key to achieving success. “Business is a contact sport, and you can’t be afraid to make a mistake,” says John Wittaker, marketing director of information management solutions at Dell Software. “You can always course correct if you need to, but you can’t make up for failing to take action when action is needed.”
It can be difficult to make tough decisions whenever they arise, but it’s worth it in the end. Decisiveness is a needed trait for every aspiring leader, and by doing so, you set an example for your team to follow.
How has decisiveness helped you achieve better results? Please share your thoughts in the comments or tweet @Cydcor with your stories.
We are Cydcor, the recognized leader in outsourced sales services located in Agoura Hills, CA. From our humble beginnings as an independent sales company based in Canada to garnering a reputation as the global leader in outsourced sales, Cydcor has come a long way. We’ve done this by having exceptional sales professionals and providing our clients with proven sales and marketing strategies that get results.
The best way to build your business is to gather a loyal team around you. If your team is solid and trusts your leadership, their productivity and morale will be high, even through the hard times. So, what can you as a leader do to encourage your team to be loyal to you? Here are some tips from the experts.
Build your team’s cohesiveness
Team-building activities will encourage your direct reports to feel as though they fit in with you company’s culture. These activities can range from something as simple as a team lunch to a day-long or overnight retreat. Through group problem-solving exercises, educational and goal-setting workshops, and even casual events like completing a jigsaw puzzle together, can help your teams to really get to know each other better and build cohesiveness across different departments.
Give credit for good ideas
There’s nothing like a public expression of your delight with a team member’s work to make that person feel valued. It’s also important not to take credit for one of your direct reports’ ideas or solutions for a sticky problem. Instead, when you’re sharing the idea, be sure to mention the name of the team member who came up with it. Not only will this make them feel appreciated, but it will also encourage them to continue coming up with future solutions and ideas.
Have an open door policy
If a team member is having trouble meeting her goals, for example, be available to give her some tips and encouragement. Make time to check in with each team member at least once per month: Even a 10- or 15-minute meeting shows that you want to be his or her colleague and mentor.
Support them in their career goals
Ask your team members what they want to achieve and where they see themselves in one, five, or 10 years—and help them get there. Help them understand the steps they’ll need to take in order to move up through the hierarchy, and support them in their efforts. Let them know what skills they need to get to their desired position and suggest resources to help them build those skills.
Lead by example
Don’t ask your team members to do anything you wouldn’t do yourself. Making a big sales push? Hit the streets with your team members. Asking extra hours of your direct reports? Work those extra hours, too. Asking team members to set goals? Set some, too—and hold yourself accountable. By sticking with your team through thick and thin, and showing them what it takes to be successful, you’ll encourage them to stick with you, too.
Remember that a good leader is a servant as well. Your job is to build your team, help them when they need it, and make them feel like part of your company’s family. If you follow these tips, you’ll gain the loyalty and respect of each of your team members.
What do you do to encourage the loyalty of your team members? Share with us on Cydcor’s Twitter and follow us @Cydcor.
We are Cydcor, the recognized leader in outsourced sales services located in Agoura Hills, CA. From our humble beginnings as an independent sales company based in Canada to garnering a reputation as the global leader in outsourced sales, Cydcor has come a long way. We’ve done this by having exceptional sales professionals and providing our clients with proven sales and marketing strategies that get results.
A happy and engaged employee is a productive employee. While everyone has different ideas about what constitutes a productive and proactive office environment, there are a multitude of ingredients that make up a team of focused and hardworking employees. Being more productive at work could be the key when it comes to getting your team on the same page. Consider the following examples of how to make your office environment strong and productive:
Culture. Personality is a very important factor in the hiring process. You may find the “perfect” employee on paper, but if they don’t fit in with the company (and your team’s) culture, everyone is likely to suffer. You can help new employees adapt to your company culture faster by encouraging teambuilding activities. Working together to accomplish a common goal brings people closer.
Lighting. It’s amazing how much work is done when people can see. As funny as that sounds, natural light has been proven to help with productivity, focus and energy. If you have access to a well-lit space, utilize it. Otherwise, invest in some good lamps with adjustable filters and energy saving light bulbs.
Space and decor. Aesthetics are important. A more homey feel (couches, pillows, comfy chairs) can do wonders for an employee’s work ethic and comfort levels, especially when they have space in which to move. Sterile offices make for sterile employees, but an inviting atmosphere makes people want to be working. Focusing on a clean workspace can really help to improve performance overall.
Flexibility. This one may be hard for some, but it’s extremely important to give employees some flexibility in their schedule. This doesn’t mean two-hour lunch breaks or binge watching Netflix at your desk. It means having the time for doctor’s appointments and kid’s recitals, and being able to work from home when the plumber is coming. Work is more enjoyable - and less stressful - when you still have time for everyday life.
Breaks. Productivity is not equal to the amount of hours sitting at one’s desk. In fact, your team is more likely to get burnt out if they aren’t given a minute to step away. Eating lunch at their desk doesn’t mean they are doing more - or better - work. Allow your team to have a few minutes each day to decompress, whether it’s to eat lunch in peace or grab a cup of coffee and take a walk. It’s a great way to re-energize and make good use of their workday.
Team building. A strong and productive team works well together because they like each other. Team outings build camaraderie and strengthen relationships. Anything from bowling night, to pizza parties, or eating lunch together once a month can reignite your team members’ passion for their work.
These are just a few examples of how to make an office environment strong and productive. Yet the common theme is simple: make your office a place where your team enjoys going to each day and you will see an exponential rise in productivity.
What do you think it takes to create an ideal productive working environment? Share with us on Cydcor’s Twitter and follow us @Cydcor.
We are Cydcor, the recognized leader in outsourced sales services. From our humble beginnings as an independent sales company based in Canada to garnering a reputation as the global leader in outsourced sales, Cydcor has come a long way. We’ve done this by having exceptional sales professionals and providing our clients with proven sales and marketing strategies that get results.
It’s time to spring forward! Use these ten terrific tips to energize your attitude and get the most out of your workday.
Your customers’ wants and needs are what matters most. Figure out what they expect and then exceed those expectations. Take the time to become extraordinary.
Smiles often change attitudes—your own and your coworkers’. People usually like to be around people with a happy demeanor. Think about the times when you were having a rough day and seeing some else’s smile encouraged you to smile. It may be a simple thing to do but making an effort to smile will make an impact on the rest of your day. Smiles work from the outside in, so practice smiling often. You’ll improve your outlook and strengthen customer and co-worker connections.
It is important to look for ways to keep you in a positive state of mind. Perhaps have lunch with a friend, join the fun and be part of the office team night, and listen to upbeat music on your way to and from work. You’ll bring back authentic energy to your workplace.
Record your accomplishments in a notebook or in your smartphone. When you need a boost, you have a resource that will transform a challenging day to a great day.
Putting off a difficult job never turns out well. Procrastination sows, and that can ruin your day. Attack your hardest task first; once it’s out of the way, you’ll feel accomplished and ready to meet anything else that comes your way.
Reach out to your team to see if they need help with their tasks. Doing something for others is a great way to get out of your head and gain a positive perspective.
Consciously remind yourself to see the positive side of every situation that you’re in. You can learn from every experience at work, and that’s an exciting possibility. Looking at things from a positive perspective will also help you be more solutions-minded and a proactive teammate.
Think like an Olympic athlete when you are working—don’t let anything stop you from living up to your full potential! Master your tasks and core assignments first, then tap into your entrepreneurial spirit to find opportunities to do more and exceed expectations.
Show up twenty minutes early. Get a head start on your day by avoiding last minute traffic that can make you late for work. Getting to work early will also give you some time to think on the tasks you need to accomplish for the day. Perhaps you can use the time to read a section of a motivational book or reflect on your goals. Not only will your day start off better, but you’ll also get noticed for taking the initiative.
Let your boss know what you’re doing. Share your career plans. Asking for advice is a great way to let your boss know that you’re committed to the company.
What are some tactics you use to stay positive at work? Share your tips with us on Twitter @Cydcor or Facebook, and show this article with your friends to start a conversation with your community.
We are Cydcor, the recognized leader in outsourced sales services. From our humble beginnings as an independent sales company based in Canada to garnering a reputation as the global leader in outsourced sales, Cydcor has come a long way. We’ve done this by having exceptional sales professionals and providing our clients with proven sales and marketing strategies that get results.
Keep up with more the latest updates from Cydcor by following us on Instagram!
The day you return to the office from a business trip will be focused on getting caught up on work that you missed. If possible, don’t schedule any meetings during your re-entry. Here are some other great tips for how to get back into the groove of the workplace.
Stay In Touch While You’re Away
Use social media to stay in touch with your team at work, as well as your family and friends. Check your email and voicemail so messages don’t pile up. Even though you have set up a system to control your workflow while you’re out of the office, things sometimes slip through the net. Let your team members know that you’re working on various problems. Ask them for help with items you can’t complete while you’re away.
Share What You Learned
Take notes, save hard copies of presentations, get links to PDFs, and document events with photos, if possible. Once you’re back at the office, build your notes into a PowerPoint presentation to share with your team members and on social media. Cover these topics:
Sharing what you learned at the conference improves your skills as a mentor and lets your supervisor see your leadership abilities.
LinkedIn and Facebook are powerful business tools that give you an opportunity to share new business insights. They’re powerful publishing platforms that can amplify your industry’s voice.
Building Your Network
Assemble all of the business cards you collected during the conference and get them into your contact database on your first day back in the office. Your records should include where you met this contact and how you connected during the event. Take note of what you discussed or an event you both attended. Paying attention to these details will make contacting him or her easier because you shared a personal experience.
Reach out to conference contacts on social media and ask them to connect with you. Send your contacts a short email and remind them about how you met. If you feel that you established a strong relationship with someone and they suggested that you to call, follow through on their invitation. Use this experience to build your networks and your connections.
Cydcor Reviews is a website dedicated to recommending business-related books to professionals and aspiring entrepreneurs. Learn more about Cydcor by checking out our page on Flickr.
About Pitch Anything: An Innovative Method for Presenting, Persuading, and Winning the Deal by Oren Klaff
Delivering an excellent pitch to potential sales clients doesn’t come naturally to everyone. Enter Pitch Anything author Oren Klaff, who knows a thing or two about making a sale. Over the past decade and more, Klaff has utilized his pitching method to raise more than $400 million. In Pitch Anything, Klaff describes his formula to help any business professional with any sale pitch.
According to Klaff, crafting and executing the perfect pitch isn’t art; it’s more centered on science. By applying the latest scientific findings and discussing real-life examples, Klaff describes how the brain makes decisions and responds to sales pitches. By learning how the method works and what you’ve been doing wrong, it’s much easier to understand how a successful pitch is done. Whether you're presenting to new investors, locking down some new business, or even negotiating for a higher salary, Pitch Anything has you covered when it comes to perfecting the pitch.
Why Cydcor Reviews recommends this to future leaders:
Learning the method of a successful pitch isn’t too difficult, but many people fail the first step: getting the attention of potential buyers or clients. Attention requires the combination of two things working together: desire and tension. Not only do you need the person to be interested in what you’re selling, but you also need them thinking that they would be lucky to have the product or service. Be sure to let the client know that you have the best service or product and that they would be missing out by not buying. You have to be passionate about what you are selling and get other people to be passionate about buying.
Pitch Anything has great insights on how the brain processes simple information and how to take advantage of this with clients. Klaff has done the required research to prove his points, while still bringing something new to the table.
Our favorite part:
The sales method that Klaff discuses in Pitch Anything is simple to understand and apply. The “STRONG” method of pitching can be put to use immediately by any business professional. The steps include setting the frame, telling the story, revealing the intrigue, offering the prize, nailing the hookpoint, and finally, getting a decision. Applying these tactics and strategies will help to engage and persuade the person you’re pitching to, and you'll find more agreement and support than you ever thought possible.
Most people will find themselves from time-to-time not performing up to their potential. It’s usually one or two things holding them back, and with the right coaching and mentoring, they can correct their flaws. When finding these types of toxic employee traits, it’s important to realize they can be fixed. Office leaders must work with their team to get rid of these flaws and improve on overall performance. A team that focuses on ridding themselves of the following toxic employee traits will rapidly find success.
Frequent Complaining
Everyone needs a few moments to grumble about something they aren’t happy with, but there are always people who don’t do anything about it. Leaders must work with these people to make improvements on their attitudes. By eliminating frequent complaining, a team can work more efficient and not sweat the small stuff.
Excuse Making
A professional always owns up to their mistakes and is willing to work toward fixing them. An employee who makes excuses on a daily basis does not demonstrate much responsibility. Make it clear that excuses will not be tolerated. Taking responsibility for actions is key to maturing into a true leader.
Gossiping
A strong team requires trust and faith in each other, and gossiping goes against both of these things. A team with the strongest bond possible will always trump anyone else. This may require extra time on team building exercises, as well as getting to know a team outside of work. When everyone can trust each other, there’s no point in spreading rumors.
Passivity
People who settle for less have no place on an all-star team. People who take initiative and aren’t afraid to be leaders will find themselves evolving for the better. Stressing the idea that everyone’s future is in their own hands can give a team that final push they’ve been looking for.
Non-Team Players
Everyone can work well solo, but they need to be able to collaborate with a team, too. When someone has an attitude that screams “my way or the highway,” it’s tough for others to cooperate. Let team members come up with solutions together, and reward those who are willing to work with others to get the job done.
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When you think of productivity, being constantly active might come to mind. But while always being in motion can improve your productivity at times, it can also lead to mindless “productivity” where you waste time doing something that you don’t need to do.
The real trick is to work intelligently. Great time management skills are the first step to becoming a smart worker. Here are some helpful time management techniques that will help increase your productivity.
Do regular reviews of your productivity and take action to resolve issues with your productivity. You might want to do reviews either weekly or monthly—not so often that you begin wasting time evaluating everything, but not so far apart that their benefit is diluted.
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We are Cydcor, the leader in outsourced sales services. Check us out on Facebook for our latest company updates.
Here is Cydcor's review of Thriving in 24/7: Six Strategies for Taming the New World of Work by Susan Helgesen.
About Thriving in 24/7: Thriving in 24/7 takes a look into the “new” work rules in today’s 24/7 environments. Cheap and portable networked technologies have made communication in the professional landscape simple and fast, but at the cost of being flooded with options that can interrupt our own personal lives. Thriving in 24/7 looks to show another way of setting forth new strategies for working and living appropriate for post-industrial lives.
Why Cydcor recommends this book to future leaders: It’s incredibly easy to be on-call 24/7 with cell phones, tablets and laptops coupled with free wi-fi in nearly any public area. This book looks to help one to be successful while still establishing personal boundaries by setting concrete ways of working. The book emphasizes the importance of locating your inner voice and taking inventory on a regular basis.
Thriving in 24/7 demonstrates ways to create your own work by articulating your values and integrating your passions. It also demonstrates how to incorporate renewal into each day by identifying the true sources of your joy, practicing mindfulness, and cultivating the elements of Slow.
Want to learn more about our company? Check out Cydcor on CrunchBase for additional information.
Our favorite part: The author’s first strategy is to start at the core. If someone wants to create work that suits their individual needs and talents, they must be aware of the forces at work in the world. She also explains that we must also develop a thorough knowledge of ourselves and an understanding of what we have to offer.
“We have to know our priorities, values, temperament, character and ambitions. We have to understand where our blocks life, what emotional legacies might be holding us back or pushing us forward. We have to understand what we fear, what makes us feel stuck or overwhelmed.”
Helgesen also states that starting at the core is crucial in an area of new technologies, as we have so many choices to make every day. By narrowing in on ourselves, we can place an emphasis on the niche that gives us more opportunities to create work that reflects our individual interests.